Around this time of year the Tumbler Ridge birders choose a day to go out and count all the birds and species they see, all for the Christmas Bird Count. This count is now in its 126th year across North America and is the longest-standing event of its kind. The results help to identify trends in bird numbers across the continent.
On January 3, count day, the weather (inevitably this year, it seems) was cold—at around minus 19— windy, and snowing. The eleven participants included Trevor Corsi, Marsha Dufresne, Jenn Graham, Mike Hartmann, Charles Helm, Linda Helm, Manda Maggs, Sarah Rivers, Roy Rule, Crys White and Larry White. Together, they put in many hours at feeders, on snowshoes, hiking and driving. The results will be submitted to the relevant authorities in BC, Canada (Birds Canada) and the Audubon Society and will enter the continental database.
The total number of species was an impressive 20, with a total number of 371 birds. The number of species is just one short of the Tumbler Ridge record since counts began sixteen years ago. Another four species were seen during ‘count week’, but not on the actual count day. Always a special bird to see in the middle of winter is the American Dipper, seemingly enjoying diving into the small patches of open water that remain.
The list of species recorded, along with the number of birds seen, is:
Hairy Woodpecker 3
Downy Woodpecker 5
American Dipper 1
Common Raven 75
American Crow 2 (most unusual)
Black-billed Magpie 1
Steller’s Jay 5
Blue Jay 28
Canada Jay 6
White-breasted Nuthatch 3
Red-breasted Nuthatch 5
Black-capped Chickadee 21
Mountain Chickadee 3 (also most unusual)
European Starling 1
Pine Grosbeak 113
Common Redpoll 31
Dark-eyed Junco 8 (highest total ever)
Pine Siskin 28 (very unusual in these numbers)
Snow Bunting 2
House Sparrow 30
Species not on the above list that were seen during count week:
Bald Eagle
Ruffed Grouse
American Three-toed Woodpecker
Boreal Chickadee
If anyone wishes to participate in future Christmas Bird Counts, please let the staff at the Visitor Centre know of your interest.
